Peekskill · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Peekskill public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Driveway widening and second parking space at 935 Lockwood Drive
A homeowner wanted to widen his driveway to fit a second off-street parking space in the front yard, which needs a variance because it sits between the front of the house and the street. A neighbor pushed back hard, saying the household already parks seven vehicles and it's changing the neighborhood's character.
Historic brick preservation at Fern Tree
The board pushed back on a plan to paint brick at 13 South Division Street, warning that painted brick traps moisture and damages historic buildings. The applicant will revise the plan — possibly stripping the brick bare and adding a mural — and return later.
PILOT policy and developer outreach
The board is reworking a developer handout explaining how PILOTs work, aiming to be a one-stop shop and to set clearer expectations — including pushing developers toward impact fees and revenue close to full taxation rather than 30-year exemptions.
Developer PILOT handout guide
The agency is creating a one-page-style guide explaining how PILOT tax incentives work for developers, but wants to keep it separate from the formal application to avoid extra paperwork.
Reopening auto repair shop at 301 North Division Street
A vacant former body shop could reopen as a minor-repair-only facility. Neighbors worry about street parking and grease; the applicants promise all work inside, no towing, and off-site employee parking.
Cannabis dispensary zoning limits
A proposed local law would confine cannabis dispensaries, consumption sites and delivery services to industrial and C-1/C-2 districts, add a 1,000-foot spacing rule, and update parking rules. The public gets its say on May 11.
Driveway legalization and neighbor accommodation at 163 Union Avenue
A two-family home needed permission for a wider driveway and four rear parking spots. The board found the plan won't hurt neighbors and approved it, with stormwater controls and removal of an old paved area.
Comprehensive Plan Consultant Award
Peekskill is updating its long-range Comprehensive Plan, which will guide zoning, housing, traffic safety, and development for years. Planning staff recommended a five-firm consulting team for up to $500,000, mostly covered by state and federal grants.
1050 Lower South Street special permit for outdoor heavy equipment storage
A proposal to turn a Lower South Street industrial site into a multi-tenant facility with outdoor storage drew immediate pushback when the applicant revealed up to 140 trucks on site. Residents raised truck traffic, air quality, and the area's industrial pollution history. The Planning Commission takes up environmental review next.
Non-conforming commercial storage use at 711 North Division Street
A decades-old contractor's yard and storage operation on North Division Street is facing a city violation, and the outcome could decide whether a landscaping business employing 13-15 local residents and a towing company can keep operating there. The board must sort out what the use actually was before zoning and whether today's operation is an illegal expansion.
Parking waiver jurisdiction after payment-in-lieu program
A renewal at 1013 Park Street stalled because the city's newer payment-in-lieu-of-parking program may have eliminated the commission's power to grant parking waivers, potentially sending the applicant to the ZBA instead.